Letters, Dec. 20

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/12/2023 (846 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Selective helpfulness

Today, the weather has turned very cold and I encountered a man (possibly homeless) in my local Safeway entranceway asking for help. I decided the best thing to give him would be some hot soup which they sold in the store. When I exited the store he was gone. When I asked, I was told he had been told to leave.

While in Safeway, there were bins to donate food, the loudspeaker announced they were collecting money, (I’m to sure which organization but one that supposedly needed food) and I was asked at checkout to donate money to this cause.

Well, what about the man seeking shelter from the weather and wanting something to eat who was in the store entrance and was asked to leave? Is the policy only to give to the “deserving poor” kept at arm’s length so we don’t have to see real people who need real help? It is fine and good to give people boxes of Kraft Dinner, but some people don’t have stoves, or roofs, or homes.

Six years ago I wrote a letter saying I was appalled that Brian Sinclair died in the Health Sciences Centre Emergency waiting room as he was ignored for 34 hours. Dozens if not hundreds of people, citizens and medical practitioners, let this double amputee, First Nations man sit there alone, a day and a half, unable to move by himself. He died because he was ignored (funny how that word comes from its root, “ignorance”), in a First World, first-class medical facility, in full view. He died because no one thought he was worth helping.

And a few years ago, I wrote about the couple who died in bus shelter. The bus driver saw them several times as he passed again and again on his route, as did many other people. No one stopped to wonder why they were sitting so still in 30-below weather in an inhospitable bus shack. They were sitting so still because they were dead.

In 2014, temperatures were actually as cold as the surface of Mars, -29 C .I have suggested that the warming shacks that are built near The Forks every year be moved and used as a warm shelter for people who need shelter in our winters. Not going to happen. Warming shacks are for people who can ski and skate and warm up before they head home in their heated cars to their heated homes. Not for people who can only shuffle as they are freezing and hungry, and yes, often angry. I wonder why.

In our wisdom, we have made the bus shelters as shelter-less as possible, with only seven per cent even being heated, as we do not want to encourage people who need this shelter mixing with people who need temporary shelter as they wait for their heated bus, coming from their heated workplace going to their heated homes.

In Winnipeg at Christmas, there is no room at the inn. No room in the Safeway entranceway. And no way I can find this man to give him some warm soup.

I only hope I am not reading tomorrow about yet another Winnipegger being frozen to death because someone complained because they encountered him for a minute or two, and someone else told him to leave.

June Slobodian

Winnipeg

Singing city’s praises

Re: There’s plenty to praise about the ‘Peg (Editorial, Dec. 19)

I lived in Winnipeg for 20 years but moved back to my roots and family eight years ago. I can tell you that I have educated many East Coast folks on the charms of Winnipeg, often to their astonishment. The conversation inevitably starts with some comment about how nasty the weather must have been, which I often concede with a caveat that the summers have some of the nicest days I have ever experienced . What shocks most folks is when I go into my diatribe of the immense arts scene, bountiful festivals, varied sports activities and cultural offerings and amazing people. What also surprises many is when I explain that, having travelled the world, my experience in Winnipeg is that it has one of the best food “scenes” I have ever experienced. Winnipeg is a serious contender for having some of the greatest restaurants in Canada, and maybe the world. Yes Winnipeg, you can hold your head high and I for one am proud of the fact I was able to call her my home for many years.

Michael Hinchey

Barss Corner, N.S.

More justice to fight for

Re: Will somebody finally listen? (Think Tank, Nov. 27); Time to review drunk driving sentences (Editorial, Dec. 5); “Speak up for better justice” (Letters, Dec. 16)

As a mother of three adult children and a grandmother too, I am heartbroken to even try and put myself in the Reimer family’s shoes.

I can not help but think, what would I do if this was my child or grandchild that had been killed by such a selfish, purposeful, reckless and under-punished criminal act? I wholeheartedly agree with Heather Tabin’s argument that there is no deterrent in Manitoba for driving impaired. We just keep reading story after story, year after year about the same thing. Before Jordyn Reimer’s story, I really did not know you could kill someone and only serve about two years behind bars as it is standard practice to be eligible for parole after only one-third of your sentence. I wonder how many other people really knew that? I can’t be alone in thinking there is something seriously wrong with the Canadian Justice System. How as Manitobans, do we continue to accept this from our government?

What does our new NDP government think about this? They have been curiously quiet about the crime of impaired driving causing death considering how much media attention Jordyn Reimer’s story has created.

Why must a grieving mother reach out and cry to someone in power to listen and help her family get justice? Jordyn’s family certainly did not get justice in the sentence imposed on Tyler Scott Goodman. As mentioned by Ms. Tabin, Judge McKenzie had the chance to get Jordyn justice. He not only failed her. He failed all of us.

What about the passenger who gave the keys to the impaired driver after someone went to the effort to take the keys away from Mr. Goodman? I keep waiting to read that charges have been laid against this accomplice. He absolutely should be charged for his role in killing this innocent young woman. After all, he set the entire tragedy into motion through his negligent action by giving back the keys. There is still more justice that must be fought for, for Jordyn and her family. We need to stand up, person by person and fight for this justice, just as we would fight if it was our own child. Write to the justice minister and demand action. We all deserve it!

Shelley Lamothe

Oakbank

Harsh consequences

Re: Is it possible to achieve true justice? (Think Tank, Dec. 19)

Regarding John Wiens’ opinion regarding true justice, he failed to address the principle of deterrence. The sentence imposed on Jordyn Reimer’s killer implies that an alcohol intoxicated person can go ahead and get behind the wheel regardless of what could occur.

The worst that happens to you if you kill someone is a little while in jail. But what would happen if the penalty was life behind bars? Would friends try harder to prevent an intoxicated friend from driving?

Maybe even the perpetrator would think twice. It’s time a message was sent. That would be justice.

Doug Penner

Winnipeg